Bella Donna: Tina Turner

I dare you to look at this week's Bella Donna and not be impressed. Talent, fortitude, beauty, style, and a great pair of legs—Tina Turner has it all. If this is what 67 is like, bring on the AARP membership!

Born Anna Mae Bullock, Tina's star began to rise when she began working with Ike Turner, a soul musician who brought her into his revue (and eventually changed her name). Together, they toured incessantly, bringing hits such as "Proud Mary" to legions of fans. A marriage followed, but unfortunately for Tina, Ike was not just controlling, he was emotionally and physically abusive. In 1976, after years of abuse, Tina abruptly left Ike, carrying nothing but 36 cents. Over the next few months, she hid from him, relying on food stamps and the charity of friends to get by.

But bigger things were on their way for Tina. To find out more, and to see pictures of her throughout the years,

Tina divorced Ike in 1978, taking no money or property from the divorce. She was deep in debt, and her next two records were critical and commercial flops. But in 1982, her cover of "Let's Stay Together" became a huge hit, bringing Tina back to the top of the charts. Since then, that's where she's stayed.

To me, Tina is a true beauty. Yes, she has a gorgeous face and amazing legs. But like Michelle Pfeiffer, it seems that her real radiance comes from having a positive and healthy attitude. She told Oprah:

"One thing is for sure: You're going to get old. Deal with it. We live and we die. We're young and then we grow old. What can we do about it? Care — care in a way that you don't have to necessarily go under the knife. Care about your happiness, your health, what you take for the health rather than depending on something synthetic to make you younger. I don't believe in ... this modern way of trying to stay young forever. I don't believe in it. I won't do it.

I like the way this lady thinks. Check out a video of her Divas Live performance here:

Amazing and inspiring. And DAMN can she sing. You cannot listen to Proud Mary and not feel totally pumped. Sometimes it is hard to imagine any of the pop singers today having that long a career and looking that fabulous when they are 67!!!

She is magnificent! Living in Switzerland with her much younger lover. We emulated her high messy hair in the 80's (the "whats love got to do with it" era) I remember walking into a club and the bartender asking me "Whats Tina Turner drinking tonight?" I was one of the best compliments I ever received!